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Winemaker's Notes:

90 points Robert Parker: The 1995 Merlot Reserve Speciale possesses a dense purple color, in addition to a big, smoky, toasty, oaky nose with notes of black currant and cherry fruit. The wine exhibits coffee/chocolate notes in the flavors, an unctuous texture, full body, and outstanding purity and length. Already accessible, this 1995 promises to evolve for 15+ years. (Dec 1998)

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The winemaking philosophy at Arrowood is simple: Produce classic varietal wines using grapes exclusively from Sonoma County's diverse viticultural areas such as Russian River Valley, Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys or Sonoma-Carneros. This approach has not changed since the winery was founded in 1986 by Richard Arrowood and his wife and partner, Alis Demers Arrowood.
Richard has been making wi... Read more

The winemaking philosophy at Arrowood is simple: Produce classic varietal wines using grapes exclusively from Sonoma County's diverse viticultural areas such as Russian River Valley, Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys or Sonoma-Carneros. This approach has not changed since the winery was founded in 1986 by Richard Arrowood and his wife and partner, Alis Demers Arrowood.
Richard has been making wine for more than four decades. Before founding Arrowood, he was winemaker and the first employee at Chateau St. Jean. There he produced the winery's first releases: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a wine that may have very well put Chateau St. Jean on the map - a Select Late Harvest Riesling. Arrowood Winery opened while Richard was still the winemaker at Chateau St. Jean, and for the first three years Alis ran the winery while Richard fulfilled his obligations at Chateau St. Jean. She dragged hoses in the cellar, topped barrels and ran the bottling line. She spent weekends entertaining, giving tours and hosting wine tastings. The first Arrowood wines were released in 1988. Read less

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90 points Robert Parker: The 1995 Merlot Reserve Speciale possesses a dense purple color, in addition to a big, smoky, toasty, oaky nose with notes of black currant and cherry fruit. The wine exhibits coffee/chocolate notes in the flavors, an unctuous texture, full body, and outstanding purity and length. Already accessible, this 1995 promises to evolve for 15+ years. (Dec 1998)